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Warmest sea in South Africa in October

115 coastal locations in South Africa ranked by their typical October sea temperature. Region-wide average in October: 17.6°C. The top of the list is where to find the warmest swimming this month.

Warmest in October

Kosi Bay

23.4°C October mean in South Africa

Regional October average

17.6°C

across all 115 coastal locations in South Africa

Vs annual mean

-0.8°C

below the year-round regional average

What the South Africa sea feels like in October

At this temperature, water will feel cold compared to a swimming pool, but with a bit of experience and practice most people will find the water relatively comfortable to swim in.

South Africa monthly average 16.8°C to 20.4°C
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  • Warmest month February 20.4°C
  • Coldest month August 16.8°C
  • Annual mean 18.4°C
  • Months above 20°C 2 of 12

Where October fits in the year

October sits inside the regional pattern shown on the left. Pick a different month to see how the ranking shifts.

All twelve South Africa month rankings:

South Africa sea temperature map (live)

The map shows today's latest reading at every South Africa location. The list below is based on the typical October mean, useful for trip planning weeks or months ahead.

Zoom in to see individual locations. Click a pin for water temperatures. View list →
°C -2 0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 24 27 30 35

Top 50 warmest South Africa locations in October

Sorted by the typical October mean built from a decade of daily readings at each location. Click any place for its 30-day chart, monthly profile, and full 10-year history.

# Location October mean
1 Kosi Bay KwaZulu-Natal 23.4°C
2 Cape Vidal KwaZulu-Natal 23.3°C
3 Sodwana Bay 23.3°C
4 St Lucia 23.0°C
5 Saint Lucia KwaZulu-Natal 23.0°C
6 Richards Bay 22.6°C
7 Amanzimtoti 22.4°C
8 Margate 22.4°C
9 Umkomaas 22.4°C
10 Port Shepstone 22.3°C
11 Scottburgh 22.2°C
12 Shelly Beach KwaZulu-Natal 22.2°C
13 Port Saint Johns 22.1°C
14 Port Edward KwaZulu-Natal 22.1°C
15 Umhlanga 21.9°C
16 eSikhawini KwaZulu-Natal 21.9°C
17 Mtunzini KwaZulu-Natal 21.9°C
18 Coffee Bay 21.9°C
19 Ballitoville 21.6°C
20 Durban 21.6°C
21 Ballito KwaZulu-Natal 21.5°C
22 Salt Rock KwaZulu-Natal 21.5°C
23 Umdloti KwaZulu-Natal 21.5°C
24 Umhlanga Rocks KwaZulu-Natal 21.5°C
25 KwaZulu-Natal 21.5°C
Show 25 more ▸
26 Tugela River KwaZulu-Natal 21.4°C
27 Mazeppa Bay Eastern Cape 21.1°C
28 East London 21.0°C
29 Morgans Bay Eastern Cape 20.3°C
30 Wavecrest Eastern Cape 20.3°C
31 Chintsa Eastern Cape 20.1°C
32 Kidd's Beach Eastern Cape 20.0°C
33 Port Alfred 19.4°C
34 Kenton-on-Sea Eastern Cape 18.5°C
35 Jeffreys Bay 18.2°C
36 Port Alfred, South Africa Eastern Cape 18.0°C
37 Port Elizabeth 17.7°C
38 Cape Saint Francis Eastern Cape 17.6°C
39 Herolds Bay Western Cape 17.6°C
40 St Francis Bay Eastern Cape 17.6°C
41 Vleesbaai Western Cape 17.6°C
42 Nature’s Valley Western Cape 17.5°C
43 Stormsrivier Eastern Cape 17.5°C
44 Oyster Bay Eastern Cape 17.5°C
45 Plettenberg Bay 17.5°C
46 Sedgefield Western Cape 17.5°C
47 Brenton-on-Sea Western Cape 17.5°C
48 Cape Infanta Western Cape 17.4°C
49 Port Beaufort Western Cape 17.4°C
50 Stilbaai 17.4°C

Coldest 10 in South Africa in October

Same data the other way. Helpful if you want to know which South Africa coasts to avoid for swimming in October.

# Location October mean
1 Marion Island Western Cape 5.1°C
2 Port Nolloth 13.3°C
3 Alexander Bay 13.9°C
4 Elands Bay 14.1°C
5 Hondeklip Bay 14.1°C
6 St Helena Bay 14.2°C
7 Velddrif 14.2°C
8 Lamberts Bay Western Cape 14.2°C
9 Buffels Bay Western Cape 14.5°C
10 Bloubergstrand 14.7°C

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